Might get a M1330 - Have some questions

Hi guys, I'm thinking of buying a m1330.
I'll probably be using it for word processing, internet browsing, and maybe some light gaming (warcraft 3, cs)
I would like the computer to be quick though, and I'm sure the m1330 is pretty snappy.

What I'm really worried about is:
little complaints (cpu whine I heard is an issue)

Sturdiness ( i don't plan on getting the LED screen) - how sturdy is the m1330? I heard that the screen can get scratched by the keyboard, is this true? How are the hinges?

battery life - I would like 3 hours min, and i don't mind having it run on a low power settings for that time ( I don't really want to get a 9 cell since it sticks out)

Screen - is it grainy like some of the vostro/inspiron screens?

Price - Good deal for a 13" laptop?

Best time to buy - does dell have black friday ( kiosk) / cyber monday deals?

Comments: I really like how it feels, I tried it at a kiosk but I'm just worried about some of these other things. I'd really appreciate some help

 

Dell had a $200 off coupon last week for a XPS laptop but apparently they are rare. As to Black Friday stuff? No clue.

 

CPU Whine: Has been fixed with the new A04 mobo which ships will new machines (as far as we have been told by DELL)

Sturdiness: I'm not sure, I get my M1330 on Monday morning, but I will let you know, as for key scratching screens, yes this is true for OLDER machines, but I think this has been solved with the newer ones (but dont quote me on that)

Battery Life: A 6-cell battery should easily provide 3 hours on power saving mode, and prob about 2.5 hour on performance

Screen: grainyness depends on what screen you get...just luck of the draw, but again, I think these issues are being ironed out with newer machines!

Price: I paid £934 for a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB HDD, 8400M GS graphics, etc...not bad. The DELL "RRP" was £1149, but they had already reduced it by £120 when I went to by it, but I got the rep to reduce it by another £95. Overall a good price, cheaper than other 13.3" laptops with similar specs!

Best time to buy: when your ready to buy, I dunno about DELL US, but DELL UK dont do black Friday/Cyber Monday...

Comments: I'll update this part when I get mine!

 

The main reason people's screens were getting scratched is because the keyboard wasn't seated properly. There was an out of place wire under it which caused it to bow in the middle and touch the screen.

There are no "Grainy Screen" issues with the m1330.

 

Gaming is fine on the m1330, wc3 and cs run very well
cpu whine shouldn't be a problem anymore according to Dell. They're shipping new m1330s with the new A04 motherboard.
It's pretty sturdy
I'm getting a bit over 3 hours on power saver mode
No grainy screen

 

CPU Whining: This has been fixed with the new A04 revision motherboard. All new M1330 manufactured in November 2007 has this new motherboard. However, the same is not true about Outlet/Refurbished notebooks. Avoid purchasing them.

LCD Sturdiness: CCFL backlit LCD is stronger than LED backlit LCD. Since you aren't buying LED backlit LCD, you don't have to worry about anything.

Screen Scratches: This is an issue with LED backlit LCD. As the display easily flexes, scratches are inevitable. That is why Dell provides a black microfiber cloth to be used as a mat between the keyboard and the display with all LED backlit LCD M1330s. Since you aren't buying LED backlit LCD, you don't have to worry about anything.

Hinges: The hinges are strong enough and will probably outlast the life of the notebook. If you are worried about the so called gap between the hinges, that is how it is designed and it is not a flaw.

Battery Life: 6 Cell Battery will provide more than 3 hours with a discrete graphics card. Integrated graphics card will provide even higher battery life. Although 9 Cell Battery provides better battery life, it mars the design and compromises the portability M1330 originally intended. The new A04 motherboard are coming with A05 BIOS. This version of BIOS is known to provide better battery life. Since you aren't buying 9 Cell Battery, you don't have to worry about anything.

Grainy Screens: This is an issue with LED backlit LCD. CCFL backit LCD don't have this problem. Since you aren't buying LED backlit LCD, you don't have to worry about anything.

Price: You will have to pay a premium for the design/weight/features on this notebook. Is it value for money for what it is offering? Yes. How does it compare with similar notebooks? The comparision is hard as every notebook has it own pros and cons. If price is the primary issue, you better not purchase this notebook.

Best time to buy: Cyber Monday/Christmas. Configure online, save the cart and then call and ask for 20% less than the configured price. How much discount you will eventually get depends on your bargaining abilities.

Is this information helpful? Please let me know. How else can I help you?

 

this is a cpu issue and not dell's. i personally do not hear any whine on mine when its turned off. its apparent (and quite noticeable) when its turned off and charging

some keyboards are not set properly causing a bulge in the center of the keyboard (this is where the cable lies underneath). like all other laptops you should not put items (or apply pressure) on top of the lid when closed. i dont in either case and so far it is still perfect.

this concern is unwarranted because the hinges are quite sturdy given normal operation. see my other post about the sturdiness of the screen. you'd be had pressed to find laptops which you can lift open the screen with one hand and not have the base flip upwards along -design-wise its good

i can guarantee you will have 3 hours min at 6/8 brightness on a 6 cell battery (mine is a LED screen tho) with wireless/bluetooth on

nope. one of the brightest screens i've seen - for it to be comparable to sony series and macbooks is an achievement in itself

you should consider about other build issues ... and the delivery times that they had problems with initially

Price - Good deal for a 13" laptop?

Best time to buy - does dell have black friday ( kiosk) / cyber monday deals?

 

H3rmaN,
When did you place your order? Dell have changed the pricing in the last few days on the Dell UK site so if you start with the mid-range model (Performance - £779) and upgrade the processor from T7250 to T7500 for £70.01, LED backlight for £50.00 and the HD to 160GB for £19.99 the total is £919.00 which is less than your price for what I think is the same spec - a week ago upgrading the processor from T7250 to T7500 was listed as £370 but it has been changed to only £70 making it a better option to start with the Performance model and upgrade as I described - I can't see any other differences that the 'Extreme' model has to justify the extra expense, any idea? I'm tempted to go for this bumping the HD to 250GB for another £50 (£969.00) although I was hoping to see how the M1530 compared before deciding. Not sure if they'll keep the offer prices on into December/January, maybe they'll go back up or down more before the Penryn processors come out in Jan/Feb which I would assume would find their way into the M1330 fairly quickly. Buy now or wait another month or 2, I'm not sure what to do.

 

I ordered on the 11th of November, but had credit card problems due to DELLs internal security measure, so after jumping through a few hoops and getting passed all the security questions, my order was then cancelled and re-ordered on the 13th of November (apparently that's just how DELL do things). I went for the "extreme" version (£1029) and got the rep to reduce it by £95.

When I had a look online they were still charging £370 to upgrade the processor! I'm not too fussed, cos its only £15 difference.

However if it arrives with any problems I will be mentioning this to my rep and asking for some compensation for my trouble!

As for buy now or wait, its up to you! If you want it now go for it! If you're still a bit unsure, then wait, and see if the prices go up or down, or wait till the M1530 comes out.

The main selling point for me is that it weighs ALMOST the same as the Sony VGN-SZ61VN/X, and is ALMOST the same size too (only larger by a literally 3-4 mm), has a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo (Sony has a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo), and 160GB 5400 RPM hard drive (Sony has 200GB 4200 RPM), but the Sony one costs £1899!! I know the DELL isn't the same build quality as the Sony, and that the Sony has a carbon fibre chasis.

But as long as I dont have any problems with my DELL, then I am much more than happy!

 

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I will really consider the m1330's price goes down a little bit more. I hope that cyber monday does this for me

 

the m1330 is not getting cheaper than $1100
$1100 for this computer is a steal imo

 

yea, I'm sure its a really good deal and that its worth it, but if I could I would wait it out until cybermonday to see if any good deals/coupons arise

 

$1100 for a 1.5 Ghz processor, 1 gig of ram, and an X3100? There are a lot more options.

 

I am also waiting for the deal after I opted not to receive M1530 (which is not likely to be released before Christmas and delivered in January) but a full refund for my returned M1330.

 

Yeah wish there were more of those $200 coupons...

 

quick question:

do you guys know more about a motherboard change or something on the m1330. where there any changes since its first release?